Scottish Executive

Arts

Richard Lochhead (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made with the establishment of a film commission in the north east.

Allan Wilson: Following a meeting with representatives of the North East of Scotland Economic Partnership together with the Aberdeen and Grampian Tourist Board, Scottish Screen has been working with the Tourist Board to help attract potential incoming productions.

Doctors

George Lyon (Argyll and Bute) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how many whole-time equivalent doctors are currently employed by the NHS in each health board area.

Susan Deacon: The whole-time equivalent of doctors working in NHSScotland is shown in the following table. The table contains the latest available data and should be read in conjunction with the notes.

  Whole-Time Equivalent5 of Doctors Working in NHSScotland by Health Board Area

  As at September/October 19992

  




Hospital/Community Services
  

General Practitioners4


Total
  



Career Grades
  

Training Grades3




Scotland7


3,650.5
  

4,011.2
  

3,878.8
  

11,540.5
  



Argyll and Clyde
  

243.2
  

228.0
  

332.0
  

803.2
  



Ayrshire and Arran
  

207.7
  

173.0
  

269.6
  

650.3
  



Borders
  

60.0
  

51.2
  

93.0
  

204.2
  



Dumfries and Galloway
  

102.4
  

73.0
  

132.5
  

307.9
  



Fife
  

182.3
  

150.3
  

243.8
  

576.4
  



Forth Valley
  

164.9
  

136.1
  

207.3
  

508.3
  



Grampian
  

370.1
  

430.9
  

392.5
  

1,193.5
  



Greater Glasgow
  

834.2
  

1,196.8
  

651.9
  

2,682.9
  



Highland
  

157.8
  

114.8
  

230.4
  

503.0
  



Lanarkshire
  

317.4
  

282.9
  

347.6
  

947.9
  



Lothian
  

579.3
  

754.2
  

594.4
  

1,927.9
  



Orkney
  

11.8
  

- 
  

28.9
  

40.7
  



Shetland
  

7.5
  

3.0
  

22.0
  

32.5
  



Tayside
  

351.3
  

395.9
  

297.5
  

1,044.7
  



Western Isles
  

13.9
  

8.0
  

35.4
  

57.3
  



  Note:

  ISD Scotland Sources: Medical and Dental Census; General Medical Practitioners Database.

  The table shows the Whole-Time Equivalent (WTE) of all doctors directly employed by NHSScotland in Hospital/Community services at 30 September 1999. It also includes General Medical Practitioners, at 1 October 1999, who are technically contractors and are not "employed by".

  Training grades comprises house officers, senior house officers, registrars, senior registrars and specialist registrars.

  General medical practitioners comprises unrestricted principals, restricted principals, assistants, associates, GP registrars and salaried doctors employed under the Practice Staff Scheme.

  For doctors working in Hospital Services, Public Health Medicine and Community Services, Whole-Time Equivalent (WTE) is calculated by dividing the number of sessions by the normal (conditioned) hours for the group of staff. For general medical practitioners, WTE is estimated for unrestricted principals whilst other practitioners are counted as one WTE.

  The table excludes the WTE contribution of locum doctors who work as and when required, as data on these staff is not available centrally.

  The Scotland total includes the WTE of staff working in special health boards (the State Hospital, Common Services Agency (CSA), Health Education Board for Scotland (HEBS) and The Scottish Council for Postgraduate Medical and Dental Education (SCPMDE)). The WTE is not shown explicitly for these employers, as the question specifically asks for "health board areas".

Domestic Abuse

Mr Gil Paterson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to complete a national survey to measure the extent of domestic violence across Scotland.

Mr Jim Wallace: The Scottish Crime Survey (SCS) collects information on the extent of domestic violence from a nationally representative sample of adults living in private households across Scotland. The survey is carried out approximately every four years, the most recent being in 2000. Its main purpose is to provide an alternative indicator to police statistics of the volume and distribution of crime. The survey also includes a set of questions, which are completed by all respondents (male and female) aged 16-59, specifically focusing on force and threats from partners and ex-partners. Self-completion questionnaires were obtained from around 3,000 adults in the 2000 SCS. The Scottish Executive is to carry out a review of the SCS and this will consider, among other matters, whether the survey should be run more frequently.

Domestic Abuse

Mr Gil Paterson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding it is planning to devote to research surrounding domestic violence issues in each of the next five years.

Mr Jim Wallace: The Scottish Executive Central Research Unit is in the process of developing its Crime and Criminal Justice Research Programme for 2001-04. The programme will, in due course, be presented to ministers for approval. It is not, therefore, possible at this stage to say what research will be commissioned over the next five years and how much will be earmarked for research on domestic violence. Currently, the Scottish Executive is funding an evaluation of the Zero Tolerance "Respect" pilot. The research commenced in December 2000 and will run until July 2001. There is also a proposal to commission research into domestic abuse against men in early spring 2001, to run until December 2001. The costs of individual research studies are not normally published as this could contravene commercial confidentiality.

Drug Misuse

Scott Barrie (Dunfermline West) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when Scotland will have a drug court in operation.

Iain Gray: I can today announce that Sheriff Principal Bowen has agreed to chair a working group for piloting of a drug court in Glasgow. The working group will include representatives from the lead agencies with an interest in the establishment of a Glasgow drug court. The Sheriff Principal has agreed that the group will submit proposals to me by Easter on a model of a drug court. The intention is that the court should become operational in Glasgow Sheriff Court by the autumn of 2001.

Energy

Mr Kenny MacAskill (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many households do not have access to natural gas, broken down by (a) local authority area and (b) parliamentary constituency.

Jackie Baillie: No information is held centrally on the number of households without access to natural gas. The results of the last Scottish House Condition Survey show that, in 1996, 1.45 million dwellings or 68.5% of the stock had mains gas. Figures are not available by local authority area or parliamentary constituency.

Fisheries

Fergus Ewing (Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will, as a matter of urgency, take all steps within its power to have the definition of the mesh size of a towed net changed from the mesh size of the cod end or extension piece of net to the smallest mesh size found in any part of the net and, if the definition is not changed, what effect this definition will have on nephrop stocks, in particular in relation to the protection of immature stocks of nephrops.

Rhona Brankin: The definition suggested, which was in use prior to new regulations introduced on 1 January 2000, was found to be unenforceable because it required every single mesh in the net to be measured - an impossible task in practice.

  Nephrops have previously been observed escaping through the meshes in the belly of the net. The potential effect of the current regulations on the extent of escapes has not been quantified.

  The Executive is prepared to consider an approach to the commission with a view to reviewing the European Regulations covering mesh size if evidence emerges that nephrops stocks may be at risk.

Health

Nicola Sturgeon (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to reduce the incidence of hospital-acquired infection.

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether a national strategy will be developed and implemented to alleviate any cross-contamination of hospital-acquired infections.

Susan Deacon: Preventing and controlling hospital-acquired infection is an important issue for the NHS in Scotland. The Scottish Executive issued comprehensive guidance on infection control in hospitals – the Scottish Infection Manual – in 1998. This guidance recommends that Infection Control Teams should be in place in every NHS Trust. Infection control teams investigate and recommend action on incidences of hospital-acquired infection, within an overall Trust policy on infection control.

  The Scottish Health Plan Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change, published on 14 December, makes it clear that every local health care system will be expected to deliver service standards to be established by the Clinical Standards Board for Scotland on infection control, cleanliness and other matters.

Health

Dorothy-Grace Elder (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to investigate the cleanliness and bacteria levels in all NHSiS hospitals.

Susan Deacon: Hospital cleanliness and hygiene is a priority area for action by the NHS in Scotland. Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change , published on 14 December, makes clear that the Scottish Executive expects every NHS Trust to act on the recommendations of the Audit Scotland report A Clean Bill of Health by June 2001. The Health Plan also states that every local health care system will be expected to deliver the service standards to be established by the Clinical Standards Board for Scotland on cleanliness, infection control and other matters.

  Comprehensive guidance on infection control in hospitals - the Scottish Infection Manual – was issued by the Scottish Executive in 1998. This guidance recommends that Infection Control Teams should be in place in every NHS Trust. Their tasks include bacteriological monitoring.

  A Joint Health Department/NHS Working Group is currently preparing recommendations for ensuring compliance with guidance and the monitoring of standards relating to reporting, controlling and reducing hospital-acquired infection and to hospital cleanliness.

Housing

Dorothy-Grace Elder (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will amend the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982, in particular section 87, to oblige rather than just empower local authorities to carry out necessary repair works on properties where the owners have failed to do so.

Jackie Baillie: No. It is for homeowners to maintain their dwellings and any common parts. However, if by neglect or for some other reason the condition of a building threatens health or safety, the 1982 Act enables authorities to carry out necessary works and recover the cost.

Housing

Alex Johnstone (North-East Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what powers it has to intervene in cases where local authorities have sold houses to individuals which later turn out to be structurally flawed.

Jackie Baillie: The Executive has no power to intervene. However, our guidance to tenants considering purchasing their homes under Right to Buy recommends that they have a structural survey of the dwelling before proceeding. Local authorities have a duty to advise any prospective purchaser if a dwelling is of a type designated as defective under Part XIV of the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987.

Justice

Mr John Home Robertson (East Lothian) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-2873 by Mr Jim Wallace on 1 February 2001, whether any new measures are required to effectively protect those who are subject to threats, harassment or intimidation by animal rights protestors; if so, what plans it has to introduce such measures, and what discussions it has had with the Home Office regarding Her Majesty’s Government’s plans in this area.

Mr Jim Wallace: We believe that the law in Scotland can deal adequately with intimidating and threatening behaviour. We do not therefore see an urgent need in Scotland for the type of measures proposed by the Home Secretary.

Local Government

Richard Lochhead (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many local authority-owned units of property have been sold in each of the last five years and what the total selling price was for each year.

Peter Peacock: Information on the number of local authority-owned units sold is not collected centrally. Total proceeds from local authority asset sales as reported by local authorities back to 1996-97 is shown in the table. Figures for 1995-96 have been excluded as these include notional receipts.

  Proceeds from Local Authority Asset Sales1 (£000)

  

 

1996-97
  

1997-98
  

1998-99
  

1999-2000
  



Total
  

495,442
  

327,567
  

335,037
  

303,582
  



  Source: As reported by local authorities on the Statistical Return, Capital Payments and their financing (CPR Fin 5)

  Notes:

  1. Figures for 1995-96 and 1996-97 include Housing Revenue Account (HRA) as reported on HRA: Certificate of Capital Payment and Receipts

Local Government

Dorothy-Grace Elder (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide funding to Glasgow City Council to enable it to meet its commitments under section 87 of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 relating to 312 outstanding statutory notices served on property throughout Glasgow for which it had only allocated a default budget of £55,000.

Jackie Baillie: Local authorities receive funding under the general services account. It is for them to allocate resources from that account to meet commitments to pay repairs grant following service of a notice under section 87 of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982.

Planning

Fergus Ewing (Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any powers to declare a moratorium in respect of the planning notification by Forest Enterprise to establish a tourist village along the west shore of Loch Lubnaig in relation to (a) the fact that this area falls within the boundaries currently considered for Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park; (b) the existing designation of the shores of Loch Lubnaig as an area of Special Scientific Interest, and (c) the area’s impending designation as a Special Area of Conservation.

Mr Sam Galbraith: The Scottish Executive does not have such statutory powers.

Planning

Fergus Ewing (Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has received representations from the Stank Glen Residents’ Association in relation to the proposal by Forest Enterprise to establish a tourist village on the shores of Loch Lubnaig; if so, what response it has made or will make, and whether, if the area were at present designated as a national park, a planning application in relation to such a development would be likely to be rejected.

Mr Sam Galbraith: Representations have been received from the Stank Glen Residents’ Association and the Scottish Executive Development Department will be replying shortly explaining the procedures which apply in respect of a proposed development to be undertaken by a body entitled to Crown exemption. All proposals for development have to be considered individually and these particular proposals will be a matter to be considered, in the first instance, by Stirling Council as planning authority.

Planning

Mr Murray Tosh (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-9908 by Sarah Boyack on 29 September 2000, whether it will provide details of each planning application which was called in during the period 1996-97 to 1999-2000, specifying in each case whether the application was approved or refused.

Mr Sam Galbraith: The information is as follows:

  Applications Called In During the Period 1996-97 to 1999-2000.

  


1 April 1996 to 31 March 1997
  



Council
  

Case
  

Status
  



Aberdeenshire
  

Extension etc at Ardoe House Hotel, Banchory-Devenick
  

Approved
  



Aberdeenshire
  

Sheltered Flats at Raemoir Road, Banchory
  

Approved
  



Aberdeenshire
  

Telecommunications Mast tc, Templars Park Maryculter
  

Withdrawn
  



Argyll & Bute
  

Windfarm at Tayinloan, Tarbert
  

Refused
  



City of Edinburgh
  

Cruise Liner Terminal at Leith Docks, Edinburgh
  

Approved.
  



City of Edinburgh
  

Mechanised Car Park at Dewar Place/Torphichen Street, Edinburgh
  

Refused
  



Dumfries & Galloway
  

Dwellinghouse at Toppinghead, Kirkpatrick Fleming
  

Refused
  



Dumfries & Galloway
  

Sand and Gravel Works at East Challoch, Dunragit
  

Refused
  



Highland
  

Rare Breeds Park at Fort Augustus
  

Refused
  



Highland
  

Wind Turbines at Gartymore, Helmsdale
  

Refused
  



Highland
  

Wind Turbines at West Garty, Helmsdale
  

Refused
  



Highland
  

Dwellinghouses at Fort Augustus
  

Withdrawn
  



Midlothian
  

Dwellinghouse and Workshop at Windy Hollow, Roslin Glen
  

Refused
  



Midlothian
  

Dwellinghouse at Pentland Road, Lothianburn
  

Refused
  



Midlothian
  

Sale of Christmas Trees at Petrol Station, Hillend, Lothianburn
  

Approved
  



North Lanarkshire
  

Motorway Service Area, Bargeddie, Coatbridge
  

Refused
  



North Lanarkshire
  

Motorway Service Area, Braehead, Coatbridge
  

Refused
  



North Lanarkshire
  

Motorway Service Area, Braehead, Coatbridge
  

Refused
  



North Lanarkshire
  

Housing at Newmains
  

Refused
  



North Lanarkshire
  

Housing at Bargeddie, Coatbridge
  

Approved
  



North Lanarkshire
  

Housing at Mount Ellen Golf Club, Gartcosh
  

Refused
  



Perth & Kinross
  

Conversion of Disused Farm Dairy/Power Station to Dairy 
  at Kinfauns Home Farm, Kinfauns.
  

Withdrawn
  



Perth & Kinross
  

Factory Outlet Centre Etc at Levenfields, Kinross
  

Refused
  



Renfrewshire
  

Retail Store at Hillington (IKEA)
  

Refused
  



Shetland
  

Dwellinghouse at Sandwick
  

Refused
  



Shetland
  

Dwellinghouse at Tingwall
  

Refused
  



South Lanarkshire
  

Housing at Torheads Farm, Hamilton
  

Approved
  



South Lanarkshire
  

Housing at Shott Farm, Hamilton
  

Refused
  



Stirling
  

Erection of Travel Lodge at Inns Of Balhaldie, Dunblane
  

Withdrawn
  



Stirling
  

Office Buildings etc, Drip Road, Craigforth, Stirling
  

Approved
  



Total
  

30
  

% Refused = 63
  



  


1 April 1997 to 31 March 1998
  



Council
  

Case
  

Status
  



Aberdeen City
  

Sand and Gravel Works, Mill Of Dyce, Aberdeen
  

Approved
  



Aberdeen City
  

Extension to Altens Industrial Estate, Aberdeen
  

Approved
  



City of Edinburgh
  

Residential Development, Milton Road East, Edinburgh
  

Approved
  



City of Edinburgh
  

Mixed Use Development at Newbridge Industrial Estate
  

Approved
  



Dundee
  

Mixed Use Development, Victoria and Camperdown Docks, Dundee
  

Approved
  



East Ayrshire
  

Motorway Service Area, Kingswell, Fenwick
  

Withdrawn
  



East Ayrshire
  

Motorway Service Area, Harelaw, Fenwick
  

PLI Awaited
  



East Ayrshire
  

Retail (Pets etc), Queens Drive, Kilmarnock
  

Refused
  



East Renfrewshire
  

Tennis/Fitness Club, Newton Mearns
  

Refused
  



Falkirk
  

Factory Outlet Centre at Gilston, Polmont
  

Refused
  



Falkirk
  

Mixed Use Development at Gilston, Polmont
  

Refused
  



Glasgow
  

Retail (Pets etc), Crown Street, Glasgow
  

Refused
  



Glasgow
  

Retail (Pets etc), Cogan Street, Glasgow
  

Refused
  



Highland
  

Dwellinghouse at Achnaluin, Morar
  

Refused
  



Highland
  

Access to proposed windfarm, Gartymore
  

Refused
  



Highland
  

Retail Store at Alness
  

Refused
  



Highland
  

Change of Use of Barn, Breakish, Skye
  

Refused
  



Highland
  

Rare Breeds Park, Fort Augustus
  

Approved
  



Highland
  

Dwellinghouse at Earlish, Portree
  

Withdrawn
  



Highland
  

Dwellinghouse at Latheron
  

Approved
  



Highland
  

Dwellinghouse at Lagganbridge
  

Refused
  



North Lanarkshire
  

Housing at Allison Place, Gartcosh
  

Approved
  



North Lanarkshire
  

Retail Warehouse at Newhouse
  

Withdrawn
  



North Lanarkshire
  

Housing at Kilsyth
  

Withdrawn
  



North Lanarkshire
  

Opencast Coal Extraction at Greengairs
  

Approved
  



North Lanarkshire
  

Housing at Murdostoun Castle Estate
  

Refused
  



Perth & Kinross
  

Proposed Dairy at Kinfauns, Perth
  

Refused
  



Perth & Kinross
  

High Amenity Business Park, Turfhills, Kinross
  

Refused.
  



Renfrewshire
  

Sale of Toys, Abbotsinch Retail Park
  

Refused
  



South Lanarkshire
  

Dual Carriageway, Hamilton
  

Approved
  



South Lanarkshire
  

Housing at Bothwell Bank Farm,Bothwell
  

Refused
  



South Lanarkshire
  

Housing at Blantyre
  

Approved
  



South Lanarkshire
  

Housing at Sovereign’s Gate, Bothwell
  

Refused
  



Stirling
  

Dwellinghouse at Inns Of Balhaldie, Dunblane
  

Refused
  



Total
  

34
  

% Refused = 53
  



  


1 April 1998 to 31 March 1999
  



Council
  

Case
  

Status
  



Aberdeen City
  

Housing at Auchmill Road, Bucksburn
  

Withdrawn
  



Aberdeenshire
  

Mini Motorbike Track etc, Blackdog, Bridge Of Don
  

Approved
  



Aberdeenshire
  

Fishing Hut at Bridgemill, Northwaterside
  

Approved
  



Argyll & Bute
  

Travel Lodge/Restaurant at Tarbert
  

Withdrawn
  



Argyll & Bute
  

New Access for Travel Lodge etc, Tarbert
  

Withdrawn
  



City of Edinburgh
  

Access Ramp etc at St Giles Cathedral, Edinburgh
  

Refused
  



City of Edinburgh
  

Industrial/Storage Units, Cliftonhall Road, Newbridge
  

Approved
  



City of Edinburgh
  

Underground Retail Development, Princes Street Gardens, 
  Edinburgh
  

Refused
  



City of Edinburgh
  

Extension to Gyle Centre – Wimpey Uk, The Gyle, Edinburgh
  

Approved
  



City of Edinburgh
  

Extension to Gyle Centre – Marks And Spencer, The 
  Gyle, Edinburgh
  

Approved
  



Dumfries & Galloway
  

Retail Development Etc, Cuckoo Bridge, Dumfries
  

Approved
  



Dumfries & Galloway
  

Factory Outlet Centre, Hammerlands, Dumfries
  

Refused
  



East Dunbartonshire
  

Travelling people site at Milngavie
  

Intention to approve
  



East Renfrewshire
  

Primary School at Newton Mearns
  

Approved
  



Fife
  

Opencast Coal Extraction at Thornton
  

Approved
  



Glasgow
  

Retail Units etc at Robroyston
  

Refused
  



Glasgow
  

Housing at former St Augustine’s School
  

Approved
  



Highland
  

Dwellinghouse at Kyle of Lochalsh
  

Withdrawn
  



Highland
  

Dwellinghouses (3) at Corrychurrachan, Onich
  

Refused
  



Highland
  

Extension to Hotel, Kingussie
  

Approved
  



Highland 
  

Dwellinghouse at Inverness
  

Withdrawn
  



North Ayrshire
  

Landfill Site at Bogside, Irvine
  

Approved
  



North Lanarkshire
  

Housing at Glenmavis
  

Approved
  



North Lanarkshire
  

Dwellinghouse at Bogside, Newmains
  

Withdrawn
  



Perth & Kinross
  

Doctors Surgery, Dalginross, Comrie
  

Withdrawn
  



Scottish Borders
  

Extension/Change of Use of Guesthouse, Hundalee House, 
  Jedburgh
  

Refused
  



South Lanarkshire
  

Servicing Area, Hamilton
  

Approved
  



Shetland
  

Dwellinghouse at Port Arthur
  

Refused
  



Shetland
  

Dwellinghouse at Bigton
  

Refused
  



West Lothian
  

Retail, Leisure, Recreational Development, Westwood, West 
  Calder
  

Refused
  



Total
  

30
  

% Refused = 30
  



  


1 April 1999 to 31 March 2000
  



Council
  

Case
  

Status
  



Aberdeenshire
  

Erection Of House at Cairntawie Wood, Kininmouth
  

Withdrawn.
  



Argyll & Bute
  

Housing and Country Park at Kilmahew Estate
  

Refused
  



Argyll & Bute
  

Information Centre, Cairndow
  

Refused
  



Dumfries & Galloway
  

Change of Use of Land from Agriculture to enable siting 
  of Mobile Snack Bar, Henderland Cottage, Crocketford
  

Approved.
  



East Ayrshire
  

Conversion of Rowallan Castle, Kilmaurs
  

PLI held. Decision awaited
  



East Renfrew/South Lanark
  

Glasgow Southern Orbital Road
  

PLI Awaited
  



Highland
  

Dwellinghouse at Kingussie
  

Refused
  



Highland
  

Dwellinghouse at Latheron
  

Approved
  



Highland
  

Dwellinghouse at Clashmore
  

Approved
  



Highland
  

Dwellinghouse at Inverinate
  

Site inspection awaited
  



Highland
  

Dwellinghouses (2) at Ullapool
  

Approved
  



Highland
  

Dwellinghouse at Acnaluin
  

Refused
  



Inverclyde
  

Retail, Leisure etc, East Glen and Scott Lithgow Yards, 
  Port Glasgow
  

Approved
  



Midlothian
  

60 Residential Units, Main Street, Roslin
  

Withdrawn
  



Midlothian
  

Development of Former Hillend Filling Station
  

Refused
  



Midlothian
  

Proposed Replacement Dwellinghouse at Woodcot, Gowkley 
  Moss
  

Refused
  



Midlothian
  

Proposed Biotechnology Park at Gowkley Moss Farm, Milton 
  Bridge
  

Approved
  



North Lanarkshire
  

Housing at Stepps
  

Refused
  



North Lanarkshire
  

Housing at Mount Ellen Golf Club, Gartcosh
  

Refused
  



North Lanarkshire
  

Dwellinghouse at Allanton, Shotts
  

Approved
  



North Lanarkshire
  

Dwellinghouse at Bogside, Wishaw
  

Approved
  



North Lanarkshire
  

Dwellinghouse at Allanton
  

Refused
  



North Lanarkshire
  

Dwellinghouses (3) at Glenboig
  

Withdrawn
  



North Lanarkshire
  

Housing at Torrance Park, Motherwell 
  

Refused
  



North Lanarkshire
  

Dwellinghouses (3) at Qeenzieburn
  

Refused
  



North Lanarkshire
  

Dwellinghouses (2) at Harthill
  

Refused
  



Perth & Kinross
  

Camping/caravanning at Balado, Kinross
  

No PLI as yet at request of applicant
  



Scottish Borders
  

Alterations and Change of Use to Offices and Training Centre, 
  Former Byre/Stables, Martinshouse, Hawick
  

PLI complete. Report awaited. 
  



South Ayrshire
  

Retail etc at Bridgefield, Girvan
  

Withdrawn
  



South Ayrshire
  

Football stadium and retail, Ayr
  

Intention to approve stadium. Retail element 
  refused
  



South Lanarkshire
  

Masterplan for Police Training Centre at Jackton
  

Withdrawn
  



South Lanarkshire
  

Police Training Centre at Jackton
  

Withdrawn
  



South Lanarkshire
  

Tennis and Fitness Centre at Jackton
  

Withdrawn
  



South Lanarkshire
  

Housing development at Jackton
  

Withdrawn
  



West Lothian
  

Extensions etc to Freeport Shopping and Leisure Village 
  at Westwood, Near West Calder
  

Pre-Inquiry meeting arranged 
  



Total
  

35
  

% Refused = 34*
  



  * Note: Percentage figure adjusted since answer to question S1W-9908 as a result of the determination of a number of outstanding applications.

Planning

Mr Murray Tosh (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive when the current advice to procurators fiscal on planning enforcement was issued; whether a copy of any such advice has been placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre; whether any audit of practice has been carried out in relation to the enforcement of planning decisions through the courts; whether it is content that the full range of powers available in theory to planning authorities is available and working effectively in practice; when planning authorities were last asked for their views on the effectiveness of the legal system in relation to planning enforcement and what the findings of any such consultation were.

Mr Sam Galbraith: Comprehensive guidance was issued to procurators fiscal in 1994 and updated guidance has been issued since then to take account of developments in legislation and case law. A new edition of the comprehensive guidance, consolidating developments since 1994, is at an advanced stage of preparation and is at present with key consultees for comment. This guidance contains instructions on behalf of the Lord Advocate. As such, it is confidential and has not been lodged with the Parliament’s Reference Centre.

  Research on planning enforcement was carried out on behalf of the Scottish Office in 1996-97. This involved a survey of all planning authorities and discussions with the Crown Office and included collating details of prosecutions sought. Overall, there were few concerns about the comprehensiveness of the powers available, but this was offset by reluctance to deploy some of them in practice. One of the recommendations in the research report was that revised guidance should be issued to planning authorities on the use of enforcement powers, and this was done in March 1999. A copy of this guidance has been placed in the Parliament’s Reference Centre.

Planning

Mr Murray Tosh (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to follow the advice given to local authorities in paragraph 75 of National Planning Policy Guidelines No.1 (revised 2000) itself, particularly in relation to notifiable applications and notices of intention to develop, its own decisions on calling in the said applications and notices, the decisions and recommendations of its Inquiry Reporters’ Unit on called in or appealed planning decisions and its own decisions on structure and local plans.

Mr Sam Galbraith: The Executive is currently considering how best the type of information referred to could be made available.

Planning

Mr Murray Tosh (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance is issued to local authorities who operate joint structure plans on the creation of dedicated structure plan units; whether such authorities now operate such units and, if not, whether any audit has been undertaken or is proposed into any differential performance between those joint structure plan authorities which do, and those who do not, operate such dedicated units.

Mr Sam Galbraith: No such guidance has been issued. The councils which make up the Ayrshire structure plan area and the Glasgow and the Clyde Valley structure plan area have set up both joint committees and joint structure plan units. Other planning authorities that are charged with carrying out jointly their structure plan functions have not made such arrangements. The experience of these different approaches will be considered during the current review of strategic planning arrangements in Scotland.

  The Scottish Executive Planning Audit Unit is examining the way councils are discharging their development planning functions. Comparisons of performance may be possible when sufficient audits have been undertaken.

Planning

Mr Murray Tosh (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has conducted, or plans to conduct, any audit into the impact of increased public consultation and participation on the achievement by local authorities of the timescales it recommends for preparing development plans and determining planning applications.

Mr Sam Galbraith: I announced last November that public involvement in planning will be the subject of a consultation paper to be issued later this year.

  Meanwhile, the Executive’s Planning Audit Unit is continuing its programme of audits of selected planning authorities’ development control service and development planning functions. The Planning Audit Unit aims to identify areas of good practice and poor performance and the factors affecting performance.

  The Executive continues to collect six-monthly returns from planning authorities on their performance in processing planning applications. These data inform the work of the Planning Audit Unit. We publish extracts of this information in the annual report of the Planning Audit Unit.

Planning

Mr Murray Tosh (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to review conflict resolution in the planning process with a view to devising more streamlined and less expensive mechanisms than the current system of public inquiry.

Mr Sam Galbraith: Alternatives to public inquiries are already available, with the vast majority of cases dealt with by less formal hearings or by written submissions. We have no current plans to review the system.

Planning

Mr Murray Tosh (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made and what its current intentions are in relation to the objectives set out in paragraph 27 of its consultation paper , Land Use Planning Under a Scottish Parliament .

Mr Sam Galbraith: A joint Scottish Executive/COSLA Working Group was set up to consider the recommendations in the research report the General Permitted Development Order and Related Mechanisms . The group is currently preparing a report on its conclusions.

Planning

Mr Murray Tosh (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the three options set out by the Minister for Environment, Sport and Culture in his speech to the Royal Town Planning Institute, Scotland in November 2000 on strategic planning rule out the option of unitary development plans in any or all areas of Scotland.

Mr Sam Galbraith: No.

Planning

Mr Murray Tosh (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Scottish Executive Inquiry Reporters’ Unit is subject to quinquennial review in line with Cabinet Office guidelines on executive agencies; if so, when it was last reviewed and when it is next due for review, and whether it proposes to review the unit’s relationship with it as a consequence of the incorporation of the European Convention of Human Rights into Scots law.

Mr Sam Galbraith: The Scottish Executive Inquiry Reporters Unit is not an executive agency and is not subject to quinquennial reviews. The unit, which is part of the Scottish Executive Development Department, publishes an annual report of its work and performance.

  We keep all aspects of the planning system under review in the light of the European Convention on Human Rights.

Planning

Mr Murray Tosh (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether any future review of the Scottish Executive Inquiry Reporters’ Unit will include a consideration of possible options for environmental courts.

Mr Sam Galbraith: It would be premature to speculate about the content of any future review.

Prison Service

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-11525 by Mr Jim Wallace on 10 January 2001, what the total annual cost per prisoner place at Kilmarnock Prison would be if it was calculated using the same methodology as is used to calculate annual costs per prisoner place in relation to Scottish Prison Service prisons and excluding any capital costs such as designing, construction and financing costs.

Mr Jim Wallace: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. His response is as follows:

  The SPS annual cost per prisoner place is based on the net current expenditure. This excludes all capital expenditure and financing costs of the service.

  The Kilmarnock prison contract won in open competition is for the provision of a complete custodial service over 25 years and the price includes all design, construction, financing and management costs and cannot therefore properly be compared with this SPS figure.

  The only meaningful comparison is between the cost of the winning bid for Kilmarnock and the estimated cost of SPS providing the equivalent custodial service as specified in the contract over the whole period of the contract. This is properly done by comparing the respective net present values over the 25-year period. On this basis, the average net present value per prisoner place for HMP Kilmarnock amounts to £11,000 compared to an SPS equivalent of £21,000 or £23,000 including risks.

Prison Service

Michael Matheson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many prison chaplains appointed under the Prisons (Scotland) Act 1989 there currently are, which prisons any such chaplains serve and which church each represents.

Mr Jim Wallace: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:

  There are currently 72 chaplains appointed under the Prisons (Scotland) Act 1989 serving in SPS establishments. The breakdown is as follows:

  


HMP Aberdeen
  

2
  

Church of Scotland
  





1 
  

Roman Catholic
  





1
  

Scottish Episcopal
  



HMP Barlinnie
  

5
  

Church of Scotland
  





3
  

Roman Catholic
  



HMP Castle Huntly
  

2
  

Church of Scotland
  





1
  

Roman Catholic
  



HMP Cornton Vale
  

1
  

Church of Scotland
  





1
  

Roman Catholic
  



HMP Dumfries
  

1
  

Church of Scotland
  





1
  

Roman Catholic
  



HMP Edinburgh
  

5
  

Church of Scotland
  





2
  

Roman Catholic
  


 

1
  

Scottish Episcopal
  



HMP Glenochil
  

3
  

Church of Scotland
  


 

3
  

Roman Catholic
  


 

2
  

Scottish Episcopal
  



HMP Inverness
  

2
  

Church of Scotland
  


 

1 
  

Roman Catholic
  


 

1 
  

Scottish Episcopal
  



HMP Low Moss
  

1
  

Church of Scotland
  


 

2 
  

Roman Catholic
  



HMP Noranside
  

1
  

Church of Scotland
  


 

1
  

Roman Catholic
  



HMP Perth
  

3
  

Church of Scotland
  


 

2 
  

Roman Catholic
  



HMP Peterhead
  

2
  

Church of Scotland
  


 

1
  

Roman Catholic
  



HMP Polmont
  

4
  

Church of Scotland
  


 

2 
  

Roman Catholic
  


 

1
  

Scottish Episcopal
  



HMP Shotts
  

3
  

Church of Scotland
  


 

2
  

Roman Catholic
  


 

1
  

Scottish Episcopal
  



HMP Kilmarnock
  

1
  

Church of Scotland
  


 

2
  

Roman Catholic
  



  Chaplaincy teams facilitate the attendance of ministers of other Christian denominations and representatives of other faiths at the request of prisoners.

Residential Care

Roseanna Cunningham (Perth) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many individuals were employed in residential nursing homes in each of the last five years, broken down by (a) local authority area and (b) parliamentary constituency.

Malcolm Chisholm: The specific information requested is not available centrally.

  A census of private nursing homes is carried out as part of an annual return for each private nursing home. This census collects information on nursing staff only. The table shows the number of homes and the number of full- or part-time nursing staff in post at 31 March in 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000, split by local council. Information for the new local council areas is not available prior to re-organisation.

  Information by parliamentary constituency is not available.

  Number of Nursing staff1 in Private Nursing Homes2 in Scotland3,4 as at 31 March 1997 - 2000.

  


by Local Council Area
  





31 March 1997
  

31 March 1998
  

31 March 1999
  

31 March 2000
  



No. of homes
  

Full time Nursing staff
  

Part time Nursing
staff
  

No. of homes
  

Full time 
 Nursing staff
  

Part time Nursing staff
  

No. of homes
  

Full time Nursing staff
  

Part time Nursing staff
  

No. of homes
  

Full time Nursing staff
  

Part time Nursing staff
  



Scotland
  

506
  

 8,642
  

 10,216
  

518
  

 8,984
  

 9,973
  

508
  

 9,481
  

 10,119
  

 505
  

 9,809
  

 9,073
  



Aberdeen City 
  

9
  

191
  

290
  

15
  

272
  

331
  

20
  

378
  

402
  

 18
  

354
  

336
  



Aberdeenshire 
  

23
  

285
  

482
  

30
  

317
  

579
  

32
  

421
  

684
  

 33
  

479
  

620
  



Angus 
  

10
  

149
  

280
  

11
  

176
  

283
  

12
  

174
  

325
  

 12
  

230
  

236
  



Argyll & Bute 
  

12
  

149
  

161
  

11
  

120
  

130
  

11
  

119
  

123
  

 9
  

95
  

96
  



Clackmannan-shire 
  

2
  

31
  

36
  

2
  

30
  

33
  

1
  

22
  

19
  

 2
  

61
  

31
  



Dumfries & Galloway 
  

15
  

191
  

304
  

16
  

255
  

308
  

15
  

273
  

292
  

 14
  

212
  

256
  



Dundee City 
  

18
  

296
  

311
  

17
  

269
  

319
  

15
  

265
  

241
  

 16
  

329
  

238
  



East Ayrshire 
  

21
  

303
  

360
  

19
  

281
  

268
  

16
  

241
  

249
  

 17
  

263
  

269
  



East Dunbartonshire 
  

6
  

134
  

124
  

5
  

92
  

98
  

7
  

153
  

172
  

 7
  

172
  

146
  



East Lothian 
  

13
  

191
  

233
  

12
  

169
  

173
  

10
  

158
  

167
  

 12
  

238
  

193
  



East Renfrewshire 
  

9
  

105
  

226
  

10
  

119
  

299
  

11
  

147
  

289
  

 8
  

106
  

192
  



Edinburgh, City of
  

51
  

869
  

887
  

46
  

885
  

713
  

46
  

928
  

887
  

 44
  

984
  

802
  



Eilean Siar
  

2
  

27
  

42
  

2
  

27
  

42
  

2
  

29
  

39
  

 2
  

31
  

37
  



Falkirk 
  

10
  

197
  

136
  

10
  

238
  

167
  

10
  

242
  

174
  

 10
  

253
  

163
  



Fife 
  

28
  

485
  

493
  

29
  

562
  

562
  

32
  

608
  

516
  

 32
  

641
  

430
  



Glasgow City 
  

56
  

 1,283
  

 1,166
  

54
  

 1,216
  

 1,019
  

52
  

 1,332
  

 1,081
  

 47
  

 1,264
  

882
  



Highland 
  

31
  

437
  

534
  

34
  

466
  

507
  

29
  

412
  

427
  

 30
  

346
  

431
  



Inverclyde 
  

6
  

101
  

101
  

9
  

134
  

159
  

7
  

128
  

148
  

 8
  

126
  

162
  



Midlothian 
  

8
  

108
  

141
  

7
  

121
  

109
  

6
  

99
  

93
  

 7
  

186
  

106
  



Moray 
  

7
  

93
  

174
  

7
  

107
  

153
  

8
  

115
  

203
  

 8
  

99
  

215
  



North Ayrshire 
  

15
  

284
  

279
  

16
  

306
  

297
  

16
  

298
  

318
  

 15
  

283
  

312
  



North Lanarkshire 
  

19
  

371
  

417
  

22
  

511
  

455
  

22
  

518
  

454
  

 24
  

579
  

486
  



Orkney
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  







Perth & Kinross 
  

20
  

318
  

490
  

21
  

314
  

518
  

21
  

349
  

423
  

 20
  

386
  

349
  



Renfrewshire 
  

14
  

350
  

445
  

12
  

353
  

400
  

11
  

337
  

335
  

 12
  

281
  

292
  



Scottish Borders 
  

17
  

237
  

287
  

16
  

253
  

306
  

17
  

276
  

293
  

 16
  

253
  

244
  



Shetland
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  







South Ayrshire 
  

23
  

306
  

511
  

22
  

248
  

445
  

20
  

240
  

397
  

 22
  

323
  

393
  



South Lanarkshire 
  

39
  

722
  

850
  

38
  

654
  

857
  

32
  

595
  

826
  

 34
  

630
  

736
  



Stirling 
  

9
  

138
  

163
  

12
  

197
  

157
  

12
  

263
  

154
  

 11
  

254
  

156
  



West Dunbartonshire 
  

3
  

69
  

108
  

4
  

90
  

91
  

5
  

137
  

148
  

 3
  

47
  

71
  



West Lothian 
  

10
  

222
  

185
  

9
  

202
  

195
  

10
  

224
  

240
  

 12
  

304
  

193
  



  Source: ISD Scotland.

  Source: ISD Scotland, ISD(S)34

  Ref: HCIU 2001/0157.

  Notes:

  1. Includes those staff on the payroll who at the date were temporarily absent through sickness, annual leave, study etc. Includes agency staff only where filling a permanent post.

  2. Private nursing homes subject to the Nursing Homes Registration (Scotland) Act 1938 (as amended) or the Mental Health Act 1960/1984. Also includes a few "other" establishments, eg hospices, which are registered under the Act. Private hospitals registered under the Act are excluded from this table.

  3. The figures shown are based on information supplied by nursing homes at the end of each financial year. It is understood from health boards that a small number of other nursing homes in Scotland have been unable to provide the information requested. Data from these nursing homes are not included in the table and account for approximately 30 homes at 31 March 1997, 1999 and 2000 and approx. 15 homes at 31 March 1998. The staffing figures for these homes are not known and may explain the fluctuation in numbers over the four-year period.

  4. The figures represent a "snap shot" on 31 March each year and do not necessarily reflect the position between the censuses or at present.

Residential Care

Roseanna Cunningham (Perth) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many beds there were in residential nursing homes in each of the last five years, what the annual occupancy rate of such beds has been in each of the last five years and how many unoccupied beds there are currently are in such homes, broken down by (a) local authority area and (b) parliamentary constituency in each case.

Malcolm Chisholm: A census of private nursing homes is carried out as part of an annual return for each private nursing home. The table shows the number of homes, the number of beds, the number of residents and the occupancy rate at 31 March in 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000, split by local council. Information for the new local council areas is not available prior to re-organisation.

  Information by parliamentary constituency is not available.

  Number of beds and residents in Private Nursing Homes in Scotland as at 31 March 1997-2000, by Local Council Area

  




31 March 1997
  

31 March 1998
  



No. of homes
  

No. of beds
  

No. of residents
  

% Occupancy
  

No. of homes
  

No. of beds
  

No. of residents
  

% Occupancy
  



Scotland
  

506
  

22,741
  

18,365
  

80.8
  

518
  

23,838
  

20,111
  

84.4
  



Aberdeen City
  

9
  

495
  

487
  

98.4
  

15
  

777
  

700
  

90.1
  



Aberdeenshire 
  

23
  

 916
  

 733
  

80.0
  

30
  

 1,126
  

 965
  

85.7
  



Angus 
  

10
  

 491
  

 416
  

84.7
  

11
  

 542
  

 480
  

88.6
  



Argyll & Bute 
  

12
  

 284
  

 242
  

85.2
  

11
  

 268
  

 208
  

77.6
  



Clackmannanshire
  

2
  

 100
  

 77
  

77.0
  

2
  

 100
  

 74
  

74.0
  



Dumfries & Galloway
  

15
  

549
  

470
  

85.6
  

16
  

584
  

470
  

80.5
  



Dundee City 
  

18
  

 793
  

 633
  

79.8
  

17
  

 720
  

 605
  

84.0
  



East Ayrshire 
  

21
  

 802
  

 624
  

77.8
  

19
  

 724
  

 538
  

74.3
  



East Dunbartonshire 
  

6
  

 358
  

 298
  

83.2
  

5
  

 335
  

 311
  

92.8
  



East Lothian 
  

13
  

 494
  

 390
  

78.9
  

12
  

 497
  

 369
  

74.2
  



East Renfrewshire 
  

9
  

 373
  

 333
  

89.3
  

10
  

 434
  

 389
  

89.6
  



Edinburgh, City of
  

51
  

 2,095
  

 1,710
  

81.6
  

46
  

 2,109
  

 1,805
  

85.6
  



Eilean Siar
  

2
  

 65
  

 64
  

98.5
  

2
  

 65
  

 61
  

93.8
  



Falkirk 
  

10
  

 542
  

 485
  

89.5
  

10
  

 557
  

 460
  

82.6
  



Fife 
  

28
  

 1,349
  

 1,040
  

77.1
  

29
  

 1,362
  

 1,172
  

86.0
  



Glasgow City 
  

56
  

 3,011
  

 2,415
  

80.2
  

54
  

 2,933
  

 2,431
  

82.9
  



Highland 
  

31
  

 1,232
  

 986
  

80.0
  

34
  

 1,354
  

 1,063
  

78.5
  



Inverclyde 
  

6
  

 216
  

 192
  

88.9
  

9
  

 358
  

 309
  

86.3
  



Midlothian 
  

8
  

 385
  

 175
  

45.5
  

7
  

 355
  

 286
  

80.6
  



Moray 
  

7
  

 254
  

 230
  

90.6
  

7
  

 285
  

 259
  

90.9
  



North Ayrshire 
  

15
  

 723
  

 599
  

82.8
  

16
  

 888
  

 699
  

78.7
  



North Lanarkshire 
  

19
  

 894
  

 777
  

86.9
  

22
  

 1,160
  

 1,087
  

93.7
  



Orkney
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  



Perth & Kinross 
  

20
  

 832
  

 661
  

79.4
  

21
  

 870
  

 749
  

86.1
  



Renfrewshire 
  

14
  

 912
  

 690
  

75.7
  

12
  

 797
  

 684
  

85.8
  



Scottish Borders 
  

17
  

 653
  

 527
  

80.7
  

16
  

 633
  

 525
  

82.9
  



Shetland
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  



South Ayrshire 
  

23
  

 806
  

 637
  

79.0
  

22
  

 796
  

 632
  

79.4
  



South Lanarkshire 
  

39
  

 1,998
  

 1,656
  

82.9
  

38
  

 1,745
  

 1 557
  

89.2
  



Stirling 
  

9
  

 376
  

 303
  

80.6
  

12
  

 607
  

 490
  

80.7
  



West Dunbartonshire 
  

3
  

 142
  

 71
  

50.0
  

4
  

 292
  

 261
  

89.4
  



West Lothian 
  

10
  

 601
  

 444
  

73.9
  

9
  

 565
  

 472
  

83.5
  



  Source: ISD Scotland.

  




31 March 1999
  

31 March 2000
  





No. of homes
  

No. of beds
  

No. of residents
  

% Occupancy
  

No. of homes
  

No. of beds
  

No. of residents
  

% Occupancy
  



Scotland
  

508
  

23,480
  

20,188
  

86.0
  

505
  

22,950
  

19,905
  

86.7
  



Aberdeen City 
  

20
  

1,019
  

841
  

82.5
  

18
  

910
  

737
  

81.0
  



Aberdeenshire 
  

32
  

1,227
  

1,047
  

85.3
  

33
  

1,333
  

1,033
  

77.5
  



Angus 
  

12
  

561
  

495
  

88.2
  

12
  

536
  

477
  

89.0
  



Argyll & Bute 
  

11
  

265
  

193
  

72.8
  

9
  

211
  

178
  

84.4
  



Clackmannan-shire 
  

1
  

60
  

59
  

98.3
  

2
  

120
  

102
  

85.0
  



Dumfries & Galloway 
  

15
  

604
  

456
  

75.5
  

14
  

532
  

401
  

75.4
  



Dundee City 
  

15
  

593
  

556
  

93.8
  

16
  

654
  

610
  

93.3
  



East Ayrshire 
  

16
  

597
  

459
  

76.9
  

17
  

639
  

472
  

73.9
  



East Dunbartonshire 
  

7
  

355
  

337
  

94.9
  

7
  

343
  

314
  

91.5
  



East Lothian 
  

10
  

431
  

313
  

72.6
  

12
  

497
  

455
  

91.5
  



East Renfrewshire 
  

11
  

459
  

415
  

90.4
  

8
  

357
  

332
  

93.0
  



Edinburgh, City of
  

46
  

2,147
  

1,893
  

88.2
  

44
  

2,031
  

1,876
  

92.4
  



Eilean Siar
  

2
  

65
  

62
  

95.4
  

2
  

65
  

62
  

95.4
  



Falkirk 
  

10
  

557
  

431
  

77.4
  

10
  

579
  

470
  

81.2
  



Fife 
  

32
  

1,424
  

1,218
  

85.5
  

32
  

1,376
  

1,213
  

88.2
  



Glasgow City 
  

52
  

2,926
  

2,594
  

88.7
  

47
  

2,794
  

2,524
  

90.3
  



Highland 
  

29
  

1,155
  

882
  

76.4
  

30
  

1,086
  

839
  

77.3
  



Inverclyde 
  

7
  

295
  

284
  

96.3
  

8
  

302
  

293
  

97.0
  



Midlothian 
  

6
  

242
  

209
  

86.4
  

7
  

355
  

320
  

90.1
  



Moray 
  

8
  

305
  

287
  

94.1
  

8
  

305
  

279
  

91.5
  



North Ayrshire 
  

16
  

863
  

727
  

84.2
  

15
  

848
  

678
  

80.0
  



North Lanarkshire 
  

22
  

1,167
  

1,093
  

93.7
  

24
  

1,285
  

1,175
  

91.4
  



Orkney
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  



Perth & Kinross 
  

21
  

816
  

733
  

89.8
  

20
  

766
  

692
  

90.3
  



Renfrewshire 
  

11
  

816
  

703
  

86.2
  

12
  

614
  

528
  

86.0
  



Scottish Borders 
  

17
  

652
  

546
  

83.7
  

16
  

604
  

486
  

80.5
  



Shetland
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  



South Ayrshire 
  

20
  

739
  

616
  

83.4
  

22
  

777
  

656
  

84.4
  



South Lanarkshire 
  

32
  

1,569
  

1,411
  

89.9
  

34
  

1,622
  

1,482
  

91.4
  



Stirling 
  

12
  

598
  

497
  

83.1
  

11
  

576
  

496
  

86.1
  



West Dunbartonshire 
  

5
  

356
  

330
  

92.7
  

3
  

146
  

144
  

98.6
  



West Lothian 
  

10
  

617
  

501
  

81.2
  

12
  

687
  

581
  

84.6
  



  Source: ISD Scotland.

  Source: ISD Scotland, ISD(S)34.

  Ref: HCIU 2001/0157.

  Notes:

  1. Private nursing homes subject to the Nursing Homes Registration (Scotland) Act 1938 (as amended) or the Mental Health Act 1960/1984. Also includes a few "other" establishments, e.g. hospices, which are registered under the Act. Private hospitals registered under the Act are excluded from this table.

  2. The figures shown are based on information supplied by nursing homes at the end of each financial year. It is understood from health boards that a small number of other nursing homes in Scotland have been unable to provide the information requested. Data from these nursing homes are not included in the table and account for approximately 30 homes at 31 March 1997, 1999 and 2000 and approx. 15 homes at 31 March 1998. The bed complements of these homes are not known and may explain the fluctuation in bed numbers and residents over the four-year period.

  3. The figures represent a "snap shot" on 31 March each year and do not necessarily reflect the position between the censuses or at present.

Residential Care

Roseanna Cunningham (Perth) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many residential nursing homes (a) opened and (b) closed in each (i) local authority area and (ii) parliamentary constituency in each of the last five years.

Malcolm Chisholm: Information on the number of private nursing homes which opened or closed in each year are not available centrally.

  However, a census of private nursing homes is carried out as part of an annual return for each private nursing home. The table shows the number of homes at 31 March in 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000, split by local council area. Information for the new local council areas is not available prior to re-organisation.

  Information by parliamentary constituency is not available.

  


Number of Private Nursing Homes1 in Scotland2,3 
  at 31 March 1997-2000.
by Local Council Area
  

31-March 1997
  

31-March 1998
  

31-March 1999
  

31-March 2000
  



Scotland
  

506
  

518
  

508
  

505
  



Aberdeen City 
  

9
  

15
  

20
  

18
  



Aberdeenshire 
  

23
  

30
  

32
  

33
  



Angus 
  

10
  

11
  

12
  

12
  



Argyll & Bute 
  

12
  

11
  

11
  

9
  



Clackmannanshire 
  

2
  

2
  

1
  

2
  



Dumfries & Galloway 
  

15
  

16
  

15
  

14
  



Dundee City 
  

18
  

17
  

15
  

16
  



East Ayrshire 
  

21
  

19
  

16
  

17
  



East Dunbartonshire 
  

6
  

5
  

7
  

7
  



East Lothian 
  

13
  

12
  

10
  

12
  



East Renfrewshire 
  

9
  

10
  

11
  

8
  



Edinburgh, City of
  

51
  

46
  

46
  

44
  



Eilean Siar
  

2
  

2
  

2
  

2
  



Falkirk 
  

10
  

10
  

10
  

10
  



Fife 
  

28
  

29
  

32
  

32
  



Glasgow City 
  

56
  

54
  

52
  

47
  



Highland 
  

31
  

34
  

29
  

30
  



Inverclyde 
  

6
  

9
  

7
  

8
  



Midlothian 
  

8
  

7
  

6
  

7
  



Moray 
  

7
  

7
  

8
  

8
  



North Ayrshire 
  

15
  

16
  

16
  

15
  



North Lanarkshire 
  

19
  

22
  

22
  

24
  



Orkney
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  



Perth & Kinross 
  

20
  

21
  

21
  

20
  



Renfrewshire 
  

14
  

12
  

11
  

12
  



Scottish Borders 
  

17
  

16
  

17
  

16
  



Shetland
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  



South Ayrshire 
  

23
  

22
  

20
  

22
  



South Lanarkshire 
  

39
  

38
  

32
  

34
  



Stirling 
  

9
  

12
  

12
  

11
  



West Dunbartonshire 
  

3
  

4
  

5
  

3
  



West Lothian 
  

10
  

9
  

10
  

12
  



  Source: ISD Scotland.

  Source: ISD Scotland, ISD(S)34

  Ref: HCIU 2001/0157.

  Notes:

  1. Private nursing homes subject to the Nursing Homes Registration (Scotland) Act 1938 (as amended) or the Mental Health Act 1960/1984. Also includes a few "other" establishments, e.g. hospices, which are registered under the Act. Private hospitals registered under the Act are excluded from this table.

  2. The figures shown are based on information supplied by nursing homes at the end of each financial year. It is understood from health boards that a small number of other nursing homes in Scotland have been unable to provide the information requested. Data from these nursing homes are not included in the table and account for approximately 30 homes at 31 March 1997, 1999 and 2000 and approx. 15 homes at 31 March 1998. The bed complements of these homes are not known and may explain the fluctuation in bed numbers over the four-year period.

  3. The figures represent a "snap shot" on 31 March each year and do not necessarily reflect the position between the censuses or at present.

Road Accidents

Robert Brown (Glasgow) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how many prosecutions there were in each of the last five years on charges of culpable homicide arising from road traffic deaths.

Mr Jim Wallace: The information requested is given in the table.

  Persons proceeded against in all Scottish courts where the main crime was causing death by dangerous driving, 1995-99

  


Crime
  

1995
  

1996
  

1997
  

1998
  

1999
  



Causing death by dangerous driving1


29
  

23
  

17
  

17
  

26
  



  Notes:

  1. Section 1 of the Road Traffic Act 1988, which is classified as "culpable homicide (statutory)" in the SEJD classification of crimes and offences.

Road Accidents

Robert Brown (Glasgow) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how many prosecutions arising from road traffic deaths there were in the High Court of Justiciary in each of the last five years.

Mr Jim Wallace: The information requested cannot be separately identified from the data collected centrally. The table contains the available information on prosecutions which, by legal definition, involved fatal road accidents.

  Persons proceeded against in the High Court where the main crime was causing death by dangerous driving or by careless driving when under the influence of drink or drugs, 1995-1999

  


Crime
  

1995
  

1996
  

1997
  

1998
  

1999
  



Causing death by dangerous driving1


1
  

2
  

3
  

1
  

1
  



Causing death by careless driving when under the influence 
  of drink or drugs2


-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  

-
  



  Notes:

  1. Section 1 of the Road Traffic Act 1988.

  2. Section 3A of the Road Traffic Act 1988.

Roads

Euan Robson (Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what facilities it will make available to enable members of the public in rural areas to contact route managers about matters relating to trunk roads, including complaints, from 1 April 2001.

Sarah Boyack: The new contracts will have a national free phone customer contact number from 1 April to allow members of the public to raise issues related to the operation and safety of the trunk road network. The number will be advertised on signs positioned at strategic locations within each maintenance unit. Calls will be relayed to the customer contact point within each Operating Company’s central office. In addition to this, leaflets will be distributed by the new Operating Companies providing details of who they are and how they can be contacted. For face to face contact members of the public will be able to raise matters with the Operating Companies either at their central office or at sub-offices and depots located throughout the units.

Scottish Higher Education Funding Council

Mr Kenny MacAskill (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it has given the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council regarding the criteria to be used for the third research assessment exercise in Scottish universities.

Ms Wendy Alexander: The Research Assessment process is conducted jointly by the four UK Research Councils as part of their statutory responsibilities. Government Departments and Devolved Administrations have a responsibility for higher education and the funding councils. Neither we nor DfEE, however, become involved in the detail of the exercise. The assessment criteria have been established within a common framework agreed jointly by the UK higher education funding councils after consultation with higher education institutions, subject associations and other interested bodies.

Scottish Higher Education Funding Council

Mr Kenny MacAskill (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken or proposes to take regarding any intention by the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council to fund only departments graded four or five in the research assessment exercise.

Ms Wendy Alexander: The Scottish Higher Education Funding Council is currently undertaking a review of its policies and methods for funding research. A consultation paper was issued on 18 December, which forms the second stage of the council’s review. The paper describes the funding methods that the council proposes to introduce from 2002-03 and invites views (by 31 March). The Executive issued a guidance letter to SHEFC last November which asked "the Council to provide appropriate policy advice when the consultation process is complete". I look forward to receiving that advice in light of responses to the consultation.

Sexual Offences

Mr Gil Paterson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many cases of serious assault of women there were in each year from 1993 to 1999 inclusive.

Mr Jim Wallace: The recorded crime statistics collected centrally do not include information on the victims of the crimes and therefore cannot distinguish those crimes of assault where the victims were women. The only information available comes from the Scottish Crime Survey (SCS) which collects information through interviews with a sample of 5,000 adults resident in households across Scotland. The survey is conducted approximately every four years.

  The survey does not distinguish between serious and petty assault because of difficulties with accurately categorising such crimes. The results of the 2000 Survey suggest that assaults against women are rare (only 1.2% of women said they had been assaulted in 1999), but that many of these victims are repeatedly assaulted. The results given below are for all assaults against women in 1992, 1995 and 2000. They are presented as rates per 10,000 women in the population in order to remove any effect that changing population rates may have on crime levels.

  Rates of assault on women, 1992-99

  


Year
  

Rate per 10,000 women
  



1992
  

234
  



1995
  

250
  



1999
  

256
  



  Source: 1993, 1996 and 2000 Scottish Crime Surveys.

Tourism

David Mundell (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what funding has been made available and to whom to promote golf tourism in the South of Scotland

Mr Alasdair Morrison: Ayrshire & Arran and Dumfries & Galloway Tourist Boards have been awarded £50,000 by visitscotland to develop golf marketing in their areas in partnership with the private sector.

Tourism

David Mundell (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what mechanisms are in place to measure the impact of any funding provided to promote golf tourism.

Mr Alasdair Morrison: Scottish Enterprise, Highlands & Islands Enterprise and visitscotland have jointly commissioned a National Golf Tourism Survey. This will assess customers demands and satisfaction levels. The results are due in January 2002.

Tourism

David Mundell (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what support and advice is being made available to golf clubs to help them make their facilities more attractive to tourists.

Mr Alasdair Morrison: The Scottish Golf Union and Scottish Enterprise Fife have developed a business planning package. This will be piloted in Fife initially, with the intention of extending nationwide. By the end of the year it will have reached over 100 clubs in Scotland.

Town Centres

Andrew Wilson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-2801 by Mr Alasdair Morrison on 18 January 2001, whether it will list all of the official correspondence it has received on plans to invest in town centre development in Cumbernauld and Kilsyth.

Mr Sam Galbraith: No correspondence has been directed to the Scottish Executive on plans to invest in town centre development in Cumbernauld and Kilsyth.

Training

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost will be to Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise of managing Future Skills Scotland .

Ms Wendy Alexander: The Scottish Enterprise budget for developing the Scottish Labour Market Intelligence Unit in the current financial year is £275,000, of which £25,000 will be contributed by Highlands and Islands Enterprise. In future the unit will be known as Future Skills Scotland . The financial implications of its operational role are still being quantified by Scottish Enterprise.

Transport

Mr Duncan Hamilton (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what assumptions have been made about the type of ferry service operating between Gourock and Dunoon in the design of the integrated transport centre in Gourock which it announced funding for on 12 January 2001.

Mr Duncan Hamilton (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the design of the integrated transport centre in Gourock which it announced funding for on 12 January 2001 will have any impact on the type of ferry service able to operate between Gourock and Dunoon.

Mr Duncan Hamilton (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive when the integrated transport centre in Gourock which it announced funding for on 12 January 2001 will open and whether the final design and building of the centre will be delayed until a final decision on the Gourock-Dunoon ferry service has been reached.

Sarah Boyack: Matters relating to the design, construction and opening of the Gourock transport interchange are for Inverclyde Council and its private sector partners.

  The Scottish Executive will shortly be writing to all authorities that received funding from the third round of the Public Transport Fund seeking action plans for their projects.

  I understand that the interchange is intended to retain sufficient flexibility to allow for a range of vessels to berth at Gourock Pier, including vessels catering for passengers only and those capable of carrying vehicles and passengers. That flexibility is particularly important, since Gourock would remain a foul weather refuge for Clyde ferry services irrespective of the outcome of the present consultation with the European Commission about a public service obligation for a ferry service between Gourock and Dunoon.

Transport

Mr Andrew Welsh (Angus) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made on the study by Deloitte and Touche examining the case for establishing a Highlands and Islands Transport Authority and when the study is likely to be published.

Sarah Boyack: We expect the Deloitte and Touche study to be published during March. They have consulted 63 groups and individual stakeholders in the course of their detailed study. The Executive looks forward to discussing the way forward with interested parties.

University Research

Mr Kenny MacAskill (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether research in universities is best stimulated and promoted by targeting funding at the best departments or by encouraging improvement in other departments.

Ms Wendy Alexander: We look to our research base to provide a range of short, medium and long-term economic and social benefits, through research undertaken here, or through the dissemination of knowledge and technology developed elsewhere. As such it is important that we both support existing research excellence and encourage improvements in other areas which may underpin longer-term economic or social objectives.

Scottish Parliamentary Coroporate Body

Videoconferencing

David Mundell (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Presiding Officer on how many occasions committees have used the Parliament’s videoconferencing facilities in the course of meetings.

Sir David Steel: The Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Committee used the Scottish Parliament videoconferencing facilities for the purposes of taking evidence on 14 June 2000. This was a link from Committee Chambers to Inverness where the Convenor of Highland Council and the Director of Inverness Chamber of Commerce gave evidence on the economic situation in the Highlands.

  The European Committee plans to take evidence by videoconference from representatives of Fishing Industries in other member states as part of its inquiry into the Common Fisheries Policy.

  Members of the former Rural Affairs (now Rural Development) Committee conducted a videoconference across seven sites in Argyll and Bute in the course of gathering evidence for the recently published inquiry into changing employment patterns in Rural Scotland. This was not a formal meeting of the committee and did not use the Parliament’s own facilities.

  The Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Committee also used other videoconferencing facilities between Greenock and West Virginia on 31 January 2001.